Big Ten (of Twelve) Media Day: Jim Delany Feeds the Media Hordes

Today was Big Ten Media Day. A day normally reserved for boring interviews with coaches and lame questions from frightened reporters. Not today. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany had plenty to offer and count me as one who had his eyes glued to the TV set.

Comments from Delany, who began his tenure as Big Ten commissioner in 1989…

On the possibility of a conference title game and the league splitting into two divisions:

“I expect there to be a championship game in December of 2011.”

-He would not commit to whether the Big Ten would pick one site (probably Lucas Oil Stadium) to hold the title game or pick a different stadium each year. Delany also would not commit to whether the game would be played indoors or outdoors. Yet, he did say Big Ten may sign a short deal with one stadium and then wait and see what happens. Basically, he has no idea what they’re going to do. I would make Lucas Oil a heavy favorite though.

-On the other hand, Delany made it very clear that the conference is splitting in two for football. He mentioned the divisional structure could be in place in the next “30 to 45 days.”

-Very unlikely they would split the other Big Ten sports into divisions, doesn’t really make much sense.

"I don’t think what we decide in football has to be binding in other sports.”

-He also mentioned he could see Ohio State and Michigan in the same or separate divisions. Put your money on them in the same division though. Early guess at the two divisions:

West : Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Northwestern, Minnesota

East : Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Indiana, Purdue

On a possible name change for the conference, now that the conference will have 12 teams as of next fall:

“The Big Ten is the Big Ten regardless of the number.”

On adding a ninth conference game to the schedule (likely to happen in next three to four years, not one to two years):

-Delany advocates a ninth conference game (once Nebraska joins) and thinks there is a consensus on adding an additional conference game. Don’t count Jim Tressel among that “consensus.”

-Tressel said the nine-game conference schedule could be a financial problem for Ohio State because the school needs non-conference home games for money. I remind you that of Ohio State’s 36 varsity sports, football is the only one that makes money.

-ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg said he spoke to another coach in the conference who wasn’t thrilled with the prospect of playing nine conference games. Stay tuned on this front.

On Big Ten expansion:

“We are not actively involved in any expansion initiatives at this point.”

-Delany said Big Ten presidents told him after Nebraska agreed to join conference, "We’ll pause, but we are not necessarily turning our back on expansion

-He also mentioned expansion proceeded “faster than we thought we were going to go."

On Notre Dame:

"I see Notre Dame playing as an independent in football for many years to come.”

Delany was surprisingly blunt about Notre Dame. Apparently Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick made it clear he wanted no part of the Big Ten.

All in all a surprisingly informative session from Delany, who seemed genuinely excited about the happenings in his conference. Check back for an Ohio State media recap later on tonight.